Senate Bill 3432 can only go into effect if the federal sports wagering ban is lifted, and it would require a $10,000 licensing fee and a $5,000 license renewal fee for interactive sports wagering platforms. It also outlines consumer protections and integrity requirements for sports wagering operators, including record-keeping and annual reporting to the Gaming Board.

“Our state continues to struggle financially, and we have an opportunity to gain much-needed revenue for education, human services and infrastructure should the federal sports wagering ban be struck down,” Harris, a former NFL linebacker, said. “We know that sports fans enjoy betting, and the state should offer a secure and legal way to do so.”

“We’ve been working on legislation to legalize sports betting in Illinois in anticipation that the Supreme Court would strike down the federal law,” said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey), former NFL Linebacker and sponsor of Illinois’ sports gambling measure. “This decision puts us on a clear path for negotiating the issue.”

There is currently a federal ban on sports betting, but the Supreme Court is considering a decision to overturn it. Today’s hearing was intended to discuss the regulatory framework that would need to be put in place to legalize sports betting at the state level.

“We know people are already participating in sports betting illegally,” Stadelman said. “If the federal ban is overturned, this is an opportunity for us to create a regulated, legal market in Illinois that brings in revenue and keeps us competitive with our neighboring states.”

National and international experts delivered testimony at the hearing on how to best implement a sports betting system in Illinois.